Potential Day 1 Prospects
Andraez “Greedy” Williams, CB, So.
Greedy redshirted so he is eligible for the 2019 draft. In fact, he is an early favorite to be selected within the first 5-10 overall selections. He is 6’2 and displayed the ability to make the plays in coverage that you’d expect from a franchise boundary cornerback. I expect a dip from his 11 pass breakups and 6 interceptions this season because Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver are no longer there and opposing offenses will have an easier time not throwing the ball near Williams as a result. He and Deandre Baker are at the top of my preseason corner rankings for the upcoming draft.
Devin White, LB, Jr.
White is the other potential top 10 overall selection for LSU. The 2018 class had some impressive inside/middle linebackers (Smith, Vander Esch, Edmunds, Evans). I have no problem going on record saying Devin White is a bigger prospect than all of them. Like Roquan Smith, he has freakish athleticism that he uses in pursuit of ball carriers and in coverage. The trait that sets him apart is his size. White is closer to 250 lbs. He is essentially the player you would get if you were allowed to list the traits you want in a 4-3 MIKE or 3-4 ILB. He’s also a natural leader who helps get the defense lined up on the field and is a guiding presence off of it. Look for White to be the most impressive of the recent LSU linebackers to enter the NFL.
Potential Day 2 Prospects
Jonathan Giles, WR, Jr.
Giles isn’t going to match the production he was able to accomplish with Pat Mahomes before his transfer. This system and personnel grouping isn’t as conducive and neither is the conference for that matter. None of that really matters. Giles is big enough to be on the radar of scouts. He should be eligible for the Senior Bowl (despite being a redshirt junior). I would love to see him in that setting with pro prospects throwing him the ball. If everything breaks right for Giles, he could be a 3rd round choice this spring.
Badara Traore, OT, Jr.
Traore was the top junior college tackle in the current recruiting class. He definitely has the body to start at either tackle position in the NFL. He will be tested now that he has an SEC schedule in front of him. If Traore meets the challenge, he will be a solid Day 2 choice in April.
Potential Day 3 Prospects
Rashard Lawrence, DT, Jr.
Lawrence was injured for a good portion of his sophomore year and his production slipped as a result. He is one of the defense’s leaders and he could take a big step forward if he is healthy. I currently rate him as a late Day 3 selection. If he steps up his play and remains healthy, he will be moved up the board quite a bit.
Blake Ferguson, LS, Sr.
Ferguson has a chance to get drafted. He is one of the top long snappers in the nation.
Cole Tracy, K, Sr.
Tracy is unlikely to be drafted, but he could find his way onto an NFL team during the summer.
Future Prospects
Grant Delpit, FS, So.
Delpit is only a year removed from high school and already looks like a future high-end NFL prospect. He has great size at around 6’2 200 lbs and recorded nine passes defended as a true freshman in 2017. Delpit looks like a 1st round selection in 2020 or 2021.
Terrace Marshall, WR, Fr.
Marshall has a strong chance to start in his true freshman year. Unlike previous LSU squads, Steve Ensminger plans to throw the ball quite a bit. Marshall is the top NFL prospect at an offensive skill position in Baton Rouge. He has tremendous size and solid speed to go with good hands.
Kelvin Joseph, CB, Fr.
How could I write an NFL draft prospect preview for LSU without mentioning the next big cornerback ready to contribute to the school’s impressive collection at the position? Joseph won’t be the star while Greedy Williams is still in town, but he might gain important playing time right off the bat.
Shaahdiq Charles, OG, So.
Listing him at guard rather than tackle isn’t a typo. Charles made the All-SEC Freshman Team last season and I think his professional home will be inside at guard even though he is projected to start at left tackle this year at LSU. Charles has the makings of a future Day 2 left guard.
K’lavon Chaisson, Edge, So.
Chaisson will be counted on to be the team’s top pass rusher. He has the size to play 4-3 defensive end in the NFL and 3-4 teams will be interested in him as an outside linebacker. It will be fun to see if he can break out in 2018. If he does, he will be near the top of the program’s watch list for the 2020 NFL Draft.